Recycling plastic flower pots and plant trays

Alan_Neath

I would like to take them to a garden centre who recycles

Hi Peter the Piper

You are quite right about the 500 million plastic plant pots used each year in the UK, they are made of :

HDPE symbol number 2, High Density Polyethylene
PP symbol number 5 for polypopolene
PS symbol number 6 for polystyrene

From the conversations i have had with the British Plastic Federation - recycling, and a number of plastic processors, they are recyling these products very succesfully, indeed they would like to recycle more, but are limited by how much or how little is being collected for recycling and returned to them. Sadly, most of these pots are still going to landfill, which is a real shame as they could so easily be turned into new products, time and time again !

This is why i felt it would be a good idea to promote this with my new website, by introducing garden centres to the plastic recyclers with the support of the recycling public who would take the pots and trays to their local garden centres.

I have already checked and listed 12 garden centres providing the service, since starting this idea last week.

see my site: recycling plastic flower pots and plant seed trays . com for all this and more information.

Have i converted you into a believer yet ? go on...... say yes !

thanks Alan

peter_the_piper

I've been a believer a long time, I have a small poly tunnel half full with plant trays. The only offer I have ever had, despite contacting manufacturers, is a local firm who would take them away for a fee (to the tip)

Edit: Alan, the link does not work nor is it on google.

morg_monster

Yes I think its part of a bigger problem, that most councils only collect plastic bottles for recycling, not yoghurt pots, the trays that veg come in from the supermarket, other plastic items etc. I think its to ensure that the loads are less contaminated by having such a specific rule, but it is annoying.

For example, mesh bags for fruit and cereal box inners are often (not always) made of the same type of plastic as the bottles (I learned this from Sainsburys who label their own products for recycling very clearly) but the council won't accept them in the recycling bins.

Good luck with your quest!! I would hope that places like Squires might succumb to a bit of customer pressure, they do market themselves as a nice family friendly, local company. Think I might ask them next time I am there. Another staunchly local company with a few centres round our way is Garsons, I haven't ever noticed pots out for recycling but I haven't ever really looked either.

katiel

I too regularly take away pots from the Hersham branch of Squires. I get through huge numbers. Also noticed that Notcutts in Staines/Laleham has a bin of pots at the exit. Never quite sure with these whether they are just giving away their own discarded pots or offering a service to collect pots from customers. Once found some discarded ceramic planters in one of these bins - great bonus.

cba321

I assumed everyone did what I did and re-use them next year. Don't really see the point in giving them away if you are going to need more next year.

Alan_Neath

I would like to take them to a garden centre who recycles

Hi Rosebud 24

I have had a reply from Squires garden centres as below.

"
We do not currently have any other method in place for recycling used plant pots other than making them available for customers to take free of charge. Our waste collection contractor will only take clean, clear plastic for recycling, so inevitably used pots and trays do end up going to landfill.
We have previously tried to find a recycling company that will take used plant pots but have been told that they require them separated in to the various types of plastic and clean. "


Although this is a little disapointing, i am sure it is the situation across the country for most garden centres, so it makes me feel that it is worth some time and effort to help more garden centres find recyclers who will take unwanted pots and trays.

It is being done in some places, so it would be great to make it happen in more places !

I will see if i can find a recycler to willing to provide the required type of recycling to help Squires with an offer.

Alan

Alan_Neath

I would like to take them to a garden centre who recycles

Sorry folks for any confusion i have created, but on reflection perhaps i could have added an option for keeping pots and trays, however, i was really concentrating my questions on the basis of recycling.

If you are keeping pots and trays, i salute you for planning ahead so well, and everyone else who keeps them too !

What would you do if they are broken, damaged, surplus, go on ..now you can do the survey thanks Alan

cba321 wrote: »

I assumed everyone did what I did and re-use them next year. Don't really see the point in giving them away if you are going to need more next year.

Alan_Neath

I would like to take them to a garden centre who recycles

Sorry, it was not a link i gave you, i am not allowed to provide a link in this forum, so i just typed the url with spaces, it will work if your remove the spaces when it is in your browesr.

As for Google, your right it is not in search results yet, possible because i only made the site a few days ago.

give it time, and cross your fingers !

thanks
Alan

peter_the_piper wrote: »

I've been a believer a long time, I have a small poly tunnel half full with plant trays. The only offer I have ever had, despite contacting manufacturers, is a local firm who would take them away for a fee (to the tip)

Edit: Alan, the link does not work nor is it on google.

dodgyhip

I take them to my local garden centre where they recyle them

Dobbies Garden Centre (Grovelands)
166 Hyde End Road
Shinfield, Reading, Berks RG2 9ER

They have one large wooden composter like structure for
people to put unwanted plastic pots in. The only problem
is that it fills up so darned quick and they take ages to
empty it.:o

Know of any other garden centres in the Reading area that
collect spent pots? Much appreciated

sassyblue

I re-use them mostly, second option is to give them away. Only if they're damaged do l throw them out in the recycling the council takes away, l'm not sure if they are supposed to take them but they've never left a bag and the bags are see through??